Freeplay Foundation

Mission

The Freeplay Foundation is unlike any other nonprofit humanitarian organization in the world. Our sole mission is to provide radio information and education to the poorest of the poor via self-powered radios. Using patented wind-up technology and solar power, Freeplay Lifeline radios do not require batteries or electricity. We provide people with sustained access to vital, even life-saving radio broadcasts that address issues including education, health, disaster response, and peacemaking.

Programs

The Freeplay Foundation’s work cuts across most aid sectors, including education, health and HIV/AIDS, agriculture, democracy & governance, disaster relief, and the environment. Some sample projects from 2005 include: radio education for 52,000 child workers in Tanzania; distributing almost 8,000 more Lifeline radios to orphans in Rwanda, and providing 1,250 Lifeline radios to victims of the tsunami. We focus on children and women, the most vulnerable people in the world.

Funded Projects on GlobalGiving

Radios to Support Tsunami Survivors in Indonesia	Radio Education for Out-of-School Zambian Children	Radio education for South African AIDs orphans	Radios to Educate Child Laborers in Tanzania
Radios for Grassroots Democracy Project in Kenya	Market Access via Radio for Rwandan Coffee Farmers	China Radio Information Project for the Blind

Personnel Overview

Jody Ehlers Buttenshaw - Freeplay Foundation Projects Manager
Extensive experience in implementing and taking development programs to scale. During 9 years at Starlight Starbright managed high profile, collaborative projects including an initiative to develop and integrate an online network for chronically ill children into over 95 pediatric hospitals and thousands of homes. Works from Freeplay Foundation’s London HQ, responsible for Tanzania and Zambia

Chhavi Sharma - Freeplay Foundation Project Coordinator
Developed street children literacy/life skills program in Phnom Penh (Cambodian Child Protection & Saving Organisation) At Indian Research Foundation for Science, Technology & Ecology assessed sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, impact of economic liberalization. Co-ordinated advocacy campaign for farmers’ rights. Now applies remarkable skills to co-ordinate Lifeline radio projects

Personnel Statistics

Kristine Pearson,
Executive Director
Founded in 1998
Employees: 10
Volunteers: 0